COMIT (Construction Opportunities for Mobile IT), began as a two-year research and development project part-funded by the Department of Trade and Industry. Initially led by Arup, in partnership with BSRIA and Loughborough University, the project brings together representatives from construction, technology, research and dissemination organisations to form the COMIT Community. The COMIT project has been a resounding success, so much so that at the request of its members COMIT began as a self funded organisation in September 2005. A steering group has been elected and there are now 40 paying members. COMIT's early aim was to establish a project community to facilitate the realisation of business benefits from the adoption of mobile information and communication technologies. In other words to, 'learn from experience to deliver measurable business benefits'. Following its success, COMIT aims now extend to becoming a Centre of Excellence for the implementation of Mobile IT in the UK Construction Industry. Objectives and deliverables achieved during the first two years included eight case studies, four demonstration projects (and associated reports), press articles, newsletters, videos and the COMIT Website that has become the key 'information hub' for the organisation. The COMIT community in its new industry-owned form is looking to build upon the work done in the first two years and continue reporting on projects and case studies. Some of the new projects being worked upon now include: RFID in Construction, Solving HAV's )Hand Arm Vibration) with Intelligent Tools, Rapid Site Set-up (SARP Project), Location and Mapping of Buried Underground Services, On-site accounting of personnel and the use of mobile devices for Quality, Safety and Snagging Inspections. COMIT also continues to share its experiences and knowledge with the wider world through conferences, exhibitions, press events and a university lecture programme. The organisation has strong ties with like-minded bodies in the UK and is a supporter of the UCI (Uniting Construction Information) initiative. COMIT is also developing close links with worldwide organisations such as FIATECH in the USA .
